Srinagar, Jul 20 : scores of job aspirants who had applied for various posts in the Jammu and Kashmir fire and emergency services staged a demonstration in Srinagar. Their primary demand was that the authorities release the report of a committee that was investigating alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.
With banners and placards displaying the message “we want justice,” the protesters gathered at the Press Enclave to voice their grievances. In addition to the job aspirants, several political parties, including the BJP, Congress, and Aam Aadmi Party, have also been urging the cancellation of the selection process and the transfer of the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The demonstrators claimed that there was a significant scam in the recruitment process, affecting many candidates, including those with disabilities and individuals facing FIRs. They pointed out that a three-member committee, led by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) R K Goyal, was assigned to investigate the irregularities, but despite seven months passing since its formation in December of the previous year, the committee had not submitted its report.
The controversy surrounding the recruitment process dates back to 2013 when around 60,000 aspirants applied for 870 posts of firemen and firemen drivers. After various tests and examinations, 14,000 candidates were shortlisted, but due to floods and other issues, interviews could not be held in 2014. The recruitment process was eventually canceled in 2017 on the orders of the then-chief minister.
Following a directive from the high court, the government was asked to conduct the recruitment process again. However, subsequent attempts were marred by allegations of irregularities and mass cheating, leading to the process being canceled and restarted multiple times.
In September 2020, a fresh examination was conducted, and the selection list was issued. Despite protests and accusations of irregularities and paper leaks by some unsuccessful candidates, the recruitment process was finalized the following month.
The demand for the cancellation of the selection list gained momentum after the Jammu and Kashmir administration recently canceled the police sub-inspector recruitment process and handed over the case to the CBI. Job aspirants are now seeking similar action to address the alleged irregularities in the fire and emergency services department’s recruitment process.
